Tech firms scramble after CIA's hacking tools exposed

09/03/2017

WikiLeaks described the leaks as the biggest in CIA history (Getty)

Security software executives have warned tech companies they must upscale their information sharing to protect users from prying eyes after WikiLeaks released a trove of documents detailing the CIA's capacity to hack all manner of devices.

Dozens of firms rushed to contain the damage from possible security weak points following the anti-secrecy organisation's revelations, although some said they needed more detailed information on what the US intelligence agency was up to before they can thwart suspected, but previously hidden attacks.

Sinan Eren, vice president of Czech anti-virus software maker Avast, called on mobile software makers Apple and Google to supply security firms with privileged access to their devices to offer immediate fixes to known bugs.

"We can prevent attacks in real time if we were given the hooks into the mobile operating system," Mr Eren said.

"If we can drive a paradigm shift where mobile platforms don't shut off access, we'll be better able to detect when hackers are hiding in a mobile (phone)", he said.

The leaks - which WikiLeaks described as the biggest in CIA history - had enough technical details for security experts and product vendors to recognise widespread compromises exist.

The 8,761 leaked documents list a wealth of security attacks on Apple and Google Android smartphones carried by billions of consumers, as well as top computer operating systems - Windows, Linux and Apple Mac.

Apple said in a statement that nearly 80 per cent of iPhone users run its current iOS software with the latest security patches.

"Many of the issues leaked today were already patched in the latest iOS, we will continue work to rapidly address any identified vulnerabilities," Apple said.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while a Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed they were looking into the report.

Widely-used routers from Silicon Valley-based Cisco were listed as targets, as were those supplied by Chinese vendors Huawei and ZTE and Taiwanese supplier Zyxel for their devices used in China and Pakistan.

Messaging apps protected by full software encryption also appear to be vulnerable to hacking of the smartphones themselves, communications app provider Telegram said.